Cecily Strong To Co-Anchor ‘SNL’s’ Weekend Update With Seth Meyers

We’ve talked so much about who left SNL after last season that it’s easy to forget the remaining cast members for this season are pretty damn solid. Bobby Moynihan has nabbed the prestigious “Guy Who Makes Josh Laugh Even in Bad Sketches” title from Bill Hader. Taran Killam, Aidy Bryant, and especially Kate McKinnon are always excellent, and I’m now going to make the first “use Nasim Pedrad more” comment of the season. Use Nasim Pedrad more.

Then there’s Cecily Strong, who, to quote Lorne Michaels, “exploded” onto the scene after the (Thursday night) debut of Girl You Wished You Hadn’t Started a Conversation With at a Party. The rapport she instantly had with Seth Meyers doing that character is why she’ll be co-anchoring Weekend Update, and might eventually take over.

In an interview in his longtime office at 30 Rockefeller Plaza in Manhattan, Mr. Michaels revealed his plan for the segment’s future: Starting with the SNL season premiere on Sept. 28, Mr. Meyers will be joined at the “Update” desk by Cecily Strong, who emerged as a rising star last year, her first season on the show.

Mr. Michaels said his general plan was to have Ms. Strong share the “Update” desk with Mr. Meyers for the season’s initial shows and then segue into a solo role later, maybe in the first season — but maybe not. If possible, Mr. Michaels would like to see Mr. Meyers stay on “Weekend Update” even after he moves to Late Night, starting on Feb. 24.